I hadn’t planned to take a full out hiatus from running after the United States Air Force half marathon. In fact, I planned to take one week off, then dive into a training plan for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas half marathon. Ah, then life threw me the gift of an emotional breakdown – how nice of it! What’s the saying: “If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans”.
I took this photo on October 1st:
Those arrows are specifically pointing to 10:10 – or what I meant as October 10th. I thought I’d be running again in a week. Little did I know that that Monday I’d be welcomed to the Nishkama Yoga family and fully apart of my own two month yoga immersion.
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas half was last night. I spent last night fixing a thermostat at a yoga studio. And while I would change my past two months of yoga for anything, I couldn’t help but have a twinge body numbing amount of jealousy and regret for not being there and not continuing my running. It’s hard to not be hard on myself for letting it go, but my goals shifted to finding a better mental health place instead of a better running pace. The yoga was the best prescription for what I needed in October and November. But now already in December, I’m feeling the need for something more.
A few weeks back, I was inspired by Jolene’s 6 Month Running Challenge. Her thought process: “Six months. Six months is totally doable for just about anything I would like to accomplish, right?” Her plan is dedicated to her running with one interval run per week, one maintenance run per week, one long run per week, one cross-training cardio workout and one strength training workout each week.
Six months. I trained for USAF in three and a half with a similar level of starting cardio fitness. And I PRed the hell out of that race on that September 17th. Why couldn’t I do it again?
Here are my initial thoughts on my plan of attack by month:
- December: I’ve been building up my cardio on the elliptical. Will start running workouts and will integrate Couch to 5K tactics.
- January: More running, less and less elliptical. Continue Couch to 5K plan tactics. Goals for end of January: run 3.1 miles without walking. I’ve done it before, I can do it again.
- February: Start half marathon training on day one. Looking at another mashup plan combining Galloway & Higdon.
- March: Continue half marathon training.
- April: Continue half marathon training.
- May: Run the half marathon of the Cleveland Marathon on Sunday, May 20.
My big hairy audacious goal for May 20th? Two hours and fifteen minutes. Let’s see if I can get there in less than 6 months…
During the Winter dont forget the Cross Train on a Bike or Spinning – It helps build other muscles not used in running – Or at least it strengthens them more. You have plenty of time for Cleveland… You will do great.
YAY!!! LOVE this post and idea!!! Welcome back #DirtyRunner
You can do it!
Alicia, I love your plan!! This is TOTALLY doable and a good pace, a great goal, and I actually think that your yoga-inspired-mindset has completely been infused into this plan. It’s not uber ferocious (just like my plan isn’t either), but it’s steady, it’s focused and it’s doable. I think that will make a huge difference in your training (and mine!) in having a sense of calmness to it, while also having progress too. If that makes any sense at all! Rock on with this goal!!
I think you have a good plan laid out here. You’ll build a solid base in those first few months that will help when you peak in training. Most importantly, make sure you have fun!
2:15 is totally doable! I know you can do it!
Good for you! Setting a reasonable goal with a well thought out plan! I didn’t meet a lot of my running goals due to injury this year, but I feel like when life hands you a setback, you need to just move on and shoot for another goal. Good luck to you!
This is an excellent plan. I bet you’ll be surprised at how quickly you can bounce back into your running “shape” again – especially with all the yoga you’ve been doing to strengthen and tone…and build mental endurance too, HUGE in running, as you know. You got this!!
PS. totally makes me want to runCLE with you!!!
You go girl (does anyone still say that?!). I will be there with signs on May 20th cheering the heck out of your 2:15 time.
“B-hag!!!” love it!!!! can’t wait to do the CLE half with you!
I think you’ve got a great plan going – and you will probably spring back into running easier than you think! See you at the start in May!
I think it sounds like a great plan Alicia! And you totally have 2:15 in you!
Yes! Love! This! You can totally run 2:15 and you have plenty of time to train. Welcome back!